Because as Lao Tzu said, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

But we cannot forget that it all starts with loving ourselves.

Buddha said, “You can reach throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself and that person is not to be found anywhere.  You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

What do you tell yourself about yourself?  Do you think you should lose weight?  Or that your nose could be a different shape?  Do you think you can accomplish anything, or do you fear that you don’t have what it takes?  Do you hold back from speaking out in public because you think your opinion isn’t as important as the thoughts of the person beside you?

Each and every one of us does one thing better than 10,000 other people.  So we should celebrate our gifts and have confidence in our perfect imperfections.  Because when we love ourselves, anything is possible.

And we can’t replace self-love with something else.  Gary Zukav said, “Scarcity of self value cannot be remedied by money, recognition, affection, attention or influence.”

So whether you’re looking for success in your love life, your career, your health, your friendships or your passions, you have to start by looking in the mirror and loving what you see.  As George Eliot said, “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”  

So this Valentine’s Day, remember how lovable you are.  Then go out and share your love with the world.